The best novels for entrepreneurs: 16 must-read classics (2024)

Best novels for entrepreneurs who want to learn about business the unorthodox way

Surely there are thousands of other fiction books you can gain business knowledge from that didn’t end up on this list. Hence if you think you’ve read one of the best novels for entrepreneurs, feel free to propose it to us, and we’ll update the list.

Noble House by James Clavell

The entire Asian Saga by James Clavell is brilliant, and the last one is Noble Haus. (There are miniseries starring Pierce Brosnan available, too.)

The most important lesson it taught me is “Neng che to lao – An able man has many burdens. As I am abler than most, I have to sweat more than most.” 

Meaning that:

1. The more ability you have, the more effort you need to put in order to make use of it; 
2. You need to believe in your own abilities and strengths; 
3. You should not be complaining when you have more on your plate than others, because that is for a reason.

It’s a great quote on what the right attitude in life and business should be.

Eva Dimitrova, Startup Consultant

The Radical Leap by Steve Farber

I found The Radical Leap by Steve Farber in an old box to be discarded from an apartment I shared with my ex. I’m so thankful it was left behind because the story and what I’ve learned from it will stick with me forever. 

It’s really an easy, short read about this California surfer dude who meets a very serious businessman along the beach. Their conversations are all about surfing and the ocean but – in a beautiful way it taught me everything I know about being a spectacular leader. The stories taught me that running a business should ultimately be by design. And that design should be free to change and go beyond usual constraints and be fueled by personal passion so that all those who follow me can do the same in their own lives and careers. 

Leadership is happiness. And whether we fail or win, we’ve got to be bold enough to work from extreme happiness. That’s the goal.

Cassady Dill, Director, Marketing for the Rich

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

Oftentimes, when we find ourselves toiling on our business with little to no reward to show for it, we struggle to maintain hope that things will get better. Dantes shows us to make the most of every chance you’re given and to never give up hope.

James Major, Founder of Insurance Panda

The Big Five For Life by John P. Strelecky

My favourite business book, among many that guide us for leadership skills, is a novel: The Big Five For Life. John P. Strelecky is able to make us see and feel the benefits of working in a company whose goals are aligned with our personal Purpose. Everyone would stop fighting an internal battle between work and life</span. And it’s our role, as entrepreneurs, to create the conditions and the environment so that our teams get paid for what fulfils them, obtaining in return lower turnover rates, better productivity and more profits. It should be a mandatory read for all leaders.

Giulio Zecca, Founder of innovAchievers

Dune by Frank Herbert

This novel teaches us the importance of strategic partnerships and how they can propel us into new areas through their connections and industry understandings. Every business leader needs to find the Fremen who can help them break into critical enterprises and verticals.

Drew Falkman, Director at Modus Create

Bleak House by Charles Dickens

Eventually, after 100 years or so, the case is closed. Why? Because the estate paid so much in legal fees all the money from the inheritance is gone.

Lesson learned: legal proceedings are time-consuming and prohibitive and should be a last resort. Try to solve disputes in other ways, if possible. It may even be cheaper to walk away and move on.

Sharon Geltner, President of Froogle PR

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff

This is a beloved children’s book where a small mouse is given a cookie. Then, he quickly asks for a glass of milk, a straw to drink the milk, a napkin to wipe himself down, and a bevy of additional requests related to, and unrelated to, the original cookie request. The little boy that gives the mouse everything he needs is patient, kind, and understanding. 

This story is a great lesson in customer service. Think about how you can meet the needs of a customer, no matter how many requests they have or how long it takes. Work to fulfil them until they are like the mouse at the end of the book — completely satisfied with their experience. 

Deborah Sweeney, CEO at MyCorporation

Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse

If you are going to be an entrepreneur, read this book. It will help you to develop a moral compass and remain true it no matter what happens.

Nick Standlea, CEO at Test Prep Gurus

The Space Merchants by Frederik Pohl and C.M. Kornbluth

As an entrepreneur, it will remind you that the business industry is survival of the fittest. If you don’t equip yourself with the best skills and knowledge, you will be drowned in the fierce competition. Thus, don’t allow yourself to be weak. You must be wise and strong to survive.

Karl Armstrong, Founder of EpicWin App

Animal Farm by George Orwell

In an organization, this situation is extremely common. The intent of leadership always starts off treating everyone equally but this can change as a company grows and revenue increases. Priorities change and leaders neglect the foundations of the company. Therefore, as a business leader, one must never lose sight of the vision of the company. Lead by example and uphold the fundamentals that the company was built on.

Albert Lee, Founder of Home Living Lab

The Sialkot Saga by Ashwin Sangh

Ashwin Sanghi’s The Sialkot Saga is definitely one-of-a-kind business thriller and page-turner book. Arvin and Arbaaz, both brilliant and cunning businessmen are competing against each other. Being at each other’s throat, their dispute is deeply rooted in the history that they must unfold. 

My key takeaway from this book is that competition in business is normal. However, as a leader and entrepreneur, you must look beyond rivalry. Because those who you are competing with can help you and can give you a hand towards success if you let them. Not just in business but in personal life as well.

James Pearson, CEO of eVenturing Enterprises

The Stars Shine Down by Sidney Sheldon

The greatest lesson that can be learned from there though, is that in business, you shouldn’t trust anyone completely even when they seem to be nice to you. There are people who have hidden agendas and they just want to get close to you so that they can take advantage of you. You should be vigilant and always look out for yourself, because that’s what everyone else is doing. Of course, this doesn’t necessarily apply to personal life, only in business, mostly.

Sonya Schwartz, Founder of Her Norm

The Phoenix Project by Gene Kim, George Spafford, and Kevin Behr

I have always applied this concept to my business whenever I’m faced with challenges. I look for the bottleneck and focus all our resources to resolve this issue before moving on with any other improvements.

Fred Blair, Founder of Awesomehoops

The Tortoise and the Hare by Aesop

Business growth is a marathon, not a sprint. You have to practice and practice and put things in place to succeed. The business lesson it taught me was that slow and steady wins the long term race.

Yes, we could do 1,000 marketing videos a month – but we would crash. I’d rather scale slow, put processes in place and delegate right. It made me a better entrepreneur by realizing I have to develop my team monthly and always check in on our written processes.

Trevor Rappleye, CEO at  CorporateFilming

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

The book is The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. The Giving Tree tells the story of a boy and a tree. Whatever the boy wants from the tree, the tree gladly gives, from shelter, apples to sell, branches to warm his home, and ultimately its tree trunk to build a boat. 

As entrepreneurs, we often fail to establish the boundaries necessary to replenish ourselves so that we can continue to serve our clients to the fullest. This ultimately will lead to a tree with no more tree to give.

Melanie Fine, Owner of MelanieFine

God Is an Englishman (Swann Family Saga) by R.F. Delderfield

A few lessons: 

1. Trust your gut; value your ideas and be careful about letting others overly influence you. 
2. Treat your staff as you would like to be treated. 
3. Find a way (or a place) to work where you are not interrupted and allow yourself to think deeply about the challenges you are confronting.

Laura Hart, CEO & Founder of Robofun